Chancellor reschedules meet-and-greet

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- After placing parent leaders in an awkward position, Schools Chancellor Cathie Black is rescheduling a meet-and-greet for March 28 at 6 p.m.

Initially, the chancellor had planned the party for March 7, the same day Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, was hosting a gathering.

Presidents of Community Education Councils had started planning to boycott both meetings after they felt caught between the two oft-warring entities. Some were under the impression their resources would be cut if they didn't attend.

"It was not our intention to schedule anything in conflict with another meeting," read a letter from the city Department of Education sent to the CECs yesterday.

At the meeting, Ms. Black plans to talk about her plans to improve the school system, and invited parents to share their ideas.

The UFT, which holds meet-and-greets with parents every year, has kept its party date of March 7, but was initially planning to delay the business portion of it to give parents a chance to attend Ms. Black's meeting first.